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Tips for Buying Your Next Snow Blower

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Did you know that summer is often the best time to buy a snow blower? Since they are a tool that really only sees use one season out of the year, buying them in the off season means you’re competing with less buyers ready to pull the trigger and you’re also dealing with shop owners that are eager and happy to make a sale.

So if the thought of buying a snow blower has recently crossed your mind you’re on the right track. If you’re unsure at all about which snow blower you should choose then just sit back, relax, and read what we have in store here in this article. Let’s get right to it.

How Much Snow Do You Get?

If you take a step back and look at this buying decision objectively, the first and most obvious question you’re going to ask yourself is how much snow do you get? Are you up north in Minnesota, New England, or similar? If so, you know that you’re potentially in for some seriously heavy piles of snow and you should be planning accordingly.

If you’re more towards the center of the country where snowfall happens but is more manageable, then you can probably get away with a machine that’s a bit lighter duty, and you’ll save not only on the purchase price but also on how much effort you’ll have to put in to move the snow blower around.

What Does Your Yard’s Terrain Look Like?

The other major factor to consider is what the layout of your yard presents for challenges. If you have a large area to clear or you have lots of hills and uneven terrain then you’re going to need a machine that can handle some of those challenges, rather than relying entirely on your strength and resilience.

Once you’ve evaluated these two factors it’s fairly simple guide yourself to the right type of snow blower by knowing the basics of the terminology.

Snow Blower Types

When it comes to snow blowers you’re usually buying from one of a few trusted brands. The main difference is going to be in the type of snow blower you buy.

At its most basic is a single-stage snow blower. These are going to be the more affordable options, and that’s because they’re fairly simple machines stripped down of any bells and whistles. These are for light to moderate snowfall, not heavy and slushy snow and certainly not a lot of it. Single-stage snow blowers are not self-propelled, so you’ll have to do the bulk of the work yourself.

Then, of course, there are two-stage snow blowers, and probably the bulk of the products you’ll see out there fall into this range. These are a bit more expensive than single-stage snow blowers, but they are usually somewhat more robust machines. The deal with the second stage is that it has the ability to engage the wheels, so the machine can actually push throw the snow for you. Not only is this helpful with snow removal, but it’s also nice for just getting the snow blower around as they can be quite heavy as the size becomes larger.

Last but certainly not least there are three-stage snow blowers. These are for the fiercest of the fierce winter storms. They have everything you’d expect from a two-stage snow blower, but in addition, they have a second set of augers that rotate at a faster speed than the main auger to help in breaking up the snow so that it can be thrown far away. These are a must-have if you live in regions with frequent and heavy snowfall.

So that’s all there really is to it in a nutshell. Hopefully you have what you need to find the perfect snow blower for home. Any questions, we’re always here for you!

Brief Guide To Replacing Your Garage Door Opener

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Garage door openers are one of those devices that we all take for granted – that is, until they fail. Then it’s a scramble to get it fixed so that you can get your car out and in for the day without having to open the door manually. It certainly can be stressful. I say this because I’ve been there too.

To make it even more stressful, when you go to buy a replacement you’ll notice that there are quite a few different options you can buy, each with their own set of features. It’s highly unlikely you’ve researched garage door openers until now, when you’re in dire need of purchasing one. How can you possibly go about making the right decision under such stress?

The good news is that you really can’t go wrong, and the great news is that if you’ve found this article before you make a purchase you just might be able to navigate the aisles with confidence.

Brands

One thing that you’ll notice right away is that there are quite a few brands that all offer relatively similar products. The main brands to stick to for best results are Chamberlain, Liftmaster, and Ryobi. The first two tend to specialize in garage door openers, whereas the latter makes garage door openers amongst a myriad of power tools and home devices. All have good reviews, so if you stick to these three you’ll probably be in good shape.

There is reason to get behind a brand that specializes in garage door openers such as Chamberlain or LiftMaster. This is their only game, so they’re going to make their best effort. That’s not to take away from the years of expertise that a brand like Ryobi can accumulate from making a variety of products, though. Their engineers have seen all sorts of products over the years, so they know what different components are best suited for different purposes.

Mode of Action

The other main buying factor that you’ll want to consider is how the garage door opener actually lifts the door from a mechanical point of view. The three most common designs you’ll come across are chain drive, belt drive, and direct drive.

Chain drive is certainly the most affordable option, and probably the design you’ll come across most often. To be honest, they’ll probably be completely fine for your needs. However, chains have a lot of potential breakage points so it’s entirely possible that you may need to make repairs more quickly than other designs. They are also probably the loudest type of garage door opener you can get, in case that is of any concern to you.

Belt drive designs are very similar to chain drive designs, except that the use a belt rather than a chain. Belts are much quieter in general and tend to be able to withstand less of a load than a chain would. If for any reason the garage door was trying to raise against a load (say, for example, the garage door is locked), there is the chance that the belt might break and need replacement. They also can wear out over time much like the alternator belt on your car would. Luckily, belts are fairly easy to swap out.

The Kingpin design in the world of garage door openers is the direct drive. These are going to give you the best of all worlds with quiet operation and durability. You won’t get out of maintaining them though as they’ll still need lubrication, but if you have a bit of extra cash it may be worth springing for one of these. They’re not too expensive after all.

Hopefully this article helps you quickly narrow down your search in your time of need. I know this situation can be frustrating, and any little bit of guidance can be helpful. I hope you make it through with minimal issue!

Tips for Removing Stubborn Grease Build-Up From Your Kitchen Stove

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You use your stove every day and do you best to wipe it clean when all is said and done. Even with the best of your efforts, you’re bound to see grease building up on the surface on the surface. That doesn’t mean it is time to buy a new stove. With a few tips that are tried and true, you can make your stove look like new all over again. Say goodbye to that pesky grease by giving these helpful hints a try.

Try Baking Soda

If you would prefer to go with a natural method, you can use baking soda. You’ll need about a half cup. Place the baking soda into a bowl and add water a teaspoon at a time until you have created a paste from the mixture. Dip your cleaning cloth or rag into the mixture and apply to the stove wherever it is needed. Continue until you don’t see anymore grease or stains on your stove. You’ll need to take a fresh, damp cloth to wipe away the mixture. Dry the stove with another cloth and it will look like new. You can also try another alternative with baking soda. Grab the box and sprinkle it over the surface of your stove and beneath your burners. Add hydrogen peroxide. It will make the baking soda fizz up and cleaning off the surface of your stove will be easy.

Don’t Forget Dish Soap

Dish soap, or dish detergent, can also be effective when you want to eliminate grease on your stove. Set aside a bowl with hot water. Dip your rag or dishcloth in the water. Apply a coating of hot water on your stove to tackle that stubborn grease. Add dish soap to your water and continue to scrub. If you still have resistant grease, try squirting a few dabs of dish soap on the stove. Keep scrubbing, using your “elbow grease” until that pesky grease is wiped away on your stove. Dip your cloth in hot water to wipe the surface clean, getting rid of any remaining soap and debris. Dry and your stove will be in tiptop shape again.

Make a White Vinegar Spray

You can blend your own white vinegar spray. You’ll put twice as much water as vinegar in a spray bottle, apply it to the surface of your stove, and wipe away the grease.

Add a Dash of Lemon with Baking Soda

Grab your trusty box of baking soda again. Sprinkle it on top of your stove. Slice a lemon. Take one slice and rub it all over the top of your stove. The two will work together as a classic combination that will naturally cleanse your stove. It will smell delightful as well.

Break Out the Vegetable Oil

You might think that adding any type of oil to the mix would just make it worse. However, a little bit of vegetable oil will loosen up the stains on the surface of your stove. You’ll want to get your regular kitchen cleaner next. Spray the surface to wipe away the oil and remaining grime on your stove.

Give Oven Cleaner a Shot

Oven cleaner that you typically spray in the oven is highly effective as well. You’ll take the removable parts off of the stove first and set them aside. Lay them on paper towel or newspaper. Spray down the surface of your stove with your oven cleaner. Make sure that there is plenty of ventilation while you do so. Crack a window or run a fan. You’ll want to let it go to work for a few hours before you grab a cloth or rag and dip it in hot water. Wipe everything clean and your stove will gleam.

Use Rubbing Alcohol Mixed with Salt

You’ll need four times as much rubbing alcohol as salt mixed in a bowl. Grab a rag or cloth, dip it in the mixture, and apply it to the surface of your stove top. You’ll see the grease stains gradually lifting away, revealing the clean surface of your stove once again. Wipe it clean with a cloth dipped in hot water when you are done.